Peter Dutton
Leader of the Opposition, Member for Dickson
“The right decisions aren’t always popular. But I’m not interested in taking the easy path, because we live in the best country in the world, and I’m determined to get Australia back on track.”
About Peter
Peter started his working life working part time after school in a butcher’s shop.
He later started a small family business which grew to employ 40 Australians.
For nine years, Peter served his community as a Police Officer.
He worked in the National Crime Authority and Drug and Sex Offenders Squads, with a focus on protecting women and children.
Peter was elected to Parliament in 2001. In 2006 John Howard appointed him Assistant Treasurer.
During his time as Minister for Health, Peter increased hospital funding by 16% over two years and established the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund.
As Home Affairs Minister, Peter oversaw critical agencies like the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.
As Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter was responsible for deporting thousands of violent criminals, overseeing Operation Sovereign Borders, and removing all children from detention.
As Minister for Defence, Peter delivered record funding for vital equipment to keep our country safe. He also helped deliver the AUKUS security partnership with the UK and the United States.
Peter is married to Kirilly and is the proud father of Rebecca, Harry and Tom.
The Latest From Peter
Stay up to date with Peter’s social content.
Wishing everyone a safe, peaceful, and blessed Easter weekend.
It was an honour to join Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay and the Maronite community for their Good Friday service at the Monastery of Saint Charbel Lebanese Maronite Order.
As many of us take a break, please stay safe on the roads — and to all our emergency service workers keeping us safe over the long weekend, thank you.
It was great to meet some of the students at @huntertradecollege today — full of energy, confidence, and pride in their work. You can see the difference this place is making.
We’re investing $18 million to expand the College into Maitland, opening the door for more local students learning construction, plumbing, electrical, and other high-demand trades essential to building more homes and delivering national infrastructure.
It’s part of our plan to build a new national network of Australian Technical Colleges and provide wage support to apprentices and trainees to help more young Australians turn their passion for a trade into a career.
Impressed by the passion and drive of these young apprentices at the @huntertradecollege — and the dedicated staff helping them succeed.
We’re backing a new national network of Australian Technical Colleges across our country and wage support to help more young Australians turn their passion for a trade and skills into a career.
This is about fixing the skills crisis Labor has ignored — and building the workforce we need to get our country back on track.
This election is important. We can’t afford another three years of Labor.
There is one way to get our country back on track and the Coalition is offering a clear choice for you to get ahead.
Grateful to Sarah Davies and the incredible team at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation for the work they do every day to protect children from violence and online harm.
A Dutton Coalition Government will provide $6 million to extend this vital work — because every child deserves to grow up safe, supported and strong.
We need more houses built for the future so that Leo — and his parents, Corey and Maxie — can get into a home.
That’s why we’ve announced the next step in our plan to restore the dream of home ownership: taking action to finalise over 100 housing projects stuck in Labor’s broken approvals process.
Achievements in Government
DEFENCE
Peter Dutton served as Australia’s Minister for Defence from March 2021 until May 2022. During this period,
Peter:
- Negotiated AUKUS – the most significant advance in Australia’s defence capability in history.
Australia will now acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and is just the second country
(after the UK) to benefit from this US technology. - Restored Defence Funding to 2% of GDP. This followed Labor slashing Defence funding to lowest level
since 1938. - Oversaw the most significant national shipbuilding enterprise since World War II.
- Delivered “REDSPICE” – Australia’s largest investment in intelligence and cyber capabilities.
REDSPICE triples Australia’s offensive cyber capabilities. And doubles our ability to detect and
respond to cyber attacks.
HOME AFFAIRS
Peter Dutton was Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs (2017 to 2021) and Minister for Immigration and
Border Protection (2014 to 2018). As Minister, Peter Dutton:
- Ensured no illegal boat arrivals and saw all children removed from detention.
- Cancelled visas of 6,300 non-citizen dangerous criminals – including for domestic violence, child sex
offenses, assault and armed robbery. - Established world-leading Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
- Closed Australia’s borders early in COVID-19 pandemic – helping save around 40,000 lives.
During this period:
- Security agencies thwarted over 20 terrorist attacks, with ASIO and AFP having record funding and
strengthened powers. - Westpac was hit with largest fine in Australian history ($1.3 billion) for contravening anti-terror and
anti-money laundering legislation.
HEALTH
As Health Minister (2013 to 2014), Peter Dutton:
- Increased hospital funding by 16%. From $13.3 billion in 2012-13 to $15.5 billion in 2014-15.
- Increased overall health funding 5.5% From $62.2 billion in 2012-13 to $65.6 billion in
2014-15. - Established Australia’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund.
- Expanded youth mental health service Headspace – to 100 centres in 2014 Budget. After successfully
lobbying for 60 centres as Shadow Minister in 2010. - Expanded bowel cancer screening for 50–74-year-olds. Cancer Council said this would save 35,000
lives
over the next 40 years. - Delivered more GP training places and nursing scholarships.
ASSISTANT TREASURER
As Assistant Treasurer (2006 and 2007), Peter Dutton was part of John Howard and Peter Costello’s economic
team
that delivered surpluses and lowered taxes.
- Oversaw the expansion of the superannuation co-contribution scheme. Helping low- and middle-income
earners – and particularly women – to save for their retirement. - Simplified the tax system, reducing compliance costs for small business and providing greater support
for
primary producers suffering through drought. - Reformed and simplified the fuel tax system for Australian businesses.